JPS5926558B2 - beverage dispensing equipment - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a device for dispensing a liquid, such as a beverage, from a closed container.

Carbonated beverages such as beer have traditionally been produced by pressurizing the beverage with carbon dioxide using a somewhat complicated tap (liquid extraction) device that is placed in a container and locked. It has been supplied by pumping from a container through a standpipe or riser.

Compared to methods of supplying beer through air pipes or taps, the advantage of the above-mentioned method is that during removal the beer is kept under pressure and also maintains its carbonation, so that the quality of the beer after removal is not compromised. This means that it can be stored without any problems.

A disadvantage of this method is that certain technical requirements, such as reducing the pressure of carbon dioxide gas from about 60 atmospheres to atmospheric pressure, can result in equipment malfunctions.

Such devices are also relatively complex and therefore expensive, so that they have not been able to secure a wide market.

In addition, since the discharge pipe is relatively long, it is inevitable that some water will drip after the stopper is closed.

Such devices also present a significant risk of the carbon dioxide cartridge or container itself exploding.

Furthermore, if a carbon dioxide gas cartridge is used, the final selling price will increase by approximately 10%.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a simple dispensing of a liquid without risk of explosion, while also allowing the liquid to be stored in a container without compromising the quality of the liquid, even after its removal from the container, and to provide such functionality. It's all about economic gain.

The present invention is a beverage dispensing device that is removably attached to a container filled with a pressurized beverage, pressurizes the beverage, and supplies the beverage from the container, the device engaging the rims of the container provided at both ends. a housing having an arrangement for receiving an air pump in communication with an opening in the bottom for supplying air to the container; and a check valve hermetically mounted in said opening to prevent air from escaping from the pressurized interior of the housing. and a tap standpipe inserted into the bottom seat of the housing to define an air channel communicating between the space above the beverage level of the housing and the opening of the clamp, said tap standpipe being further insulated. In a beverage dispensing device configured to be openable and closable by a valve and in communication with a beverage conduit, the housing is formed as an elongated substantially unitary body, and the device for receiving the air pump is on the opposite side of the clamp and between the housing. mounted on the surface and dividing the housing into two components, the beverage conduit being a continuous hole in said component with an axially open end, and the isolation valve being a continuous bore in said component of the housing. axially movably inserted just above the outlet communicating with a hole formed in the bottom wall of the

Such a device of the invention can be easily placed and locked onto a container above the chamber.

By opening the isolation valve immediately after the liquid has been removed and without first activating the pressure applying device, a predetermined amount of pressurized liquid in the chamber of the container can be easily dispensed.

After reducing the pressure acting on the liquid in the chamber of the container,
The pressure application device is activated until sufficient pressure is restored within the chamber of the container to generate the desired liquid flow.

If the liquid is beer, the desired amount of foaming can be controlled in this way.

Foaming is a function of the pressure on the beer at any given temperature of the beer.

The air pressure developed within the container chamber through a narrow air channel in the tap standpipe is maintained by a check valve that remains closed even under minimal differential pressure conditions.

With a spring bias, such check valves remain closed and provide an airtight seal even in the absence of air pressure.

Depending on this spring bias and the effective area of the valve head, the check valve is opened at a predetermined pressure generated by the pressure application device to direct pressurized air into the chamber through the inlet.

Since the spring bias is proportional to the effective area of the valve head,
It opens when a pressure several times its effective area exceeds the spring's closing bias.

This condition occurs when there is no pressure within the chamber of the container.

When this pressure increases due to the operation of the air pressure applying device, air leakage is generated above the liquid level.
The force required to open the check valve increases.

Since the air before and after the check valve is compressed by the operation of this pressure applying device, the predetermined stroke of the pressure applying device fixes the maximum air pressure obtained by the operation.

This maximum pressure is chosen to be less than or equal to the explosion pressure of the container.

In this way, the risk of explosion of the container is eliminated.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS For a clear understanding of the invention, reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings, which illustrate the invention in detail.

Reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings, in which like reference numerals indicate like parts that operate in a similar manner.

Referring initially to FIG. 1, the apparatus of the present invention is shown as comprising a one-piece housing 1. As shown in FIG.

However, this device may also consist of several parts that can be assembled and, as shown in FIG. It's okay.

This casing is removably and hermetically attached to the rest of the device.

In this way, the removable pressure application device can also be used with a container holding a cartridge of carbon dioxide gas to
In such known tap (liquid withdrawal) devices it is also possible to convert the pressure of carbon dioxide gas by means of pressurized air.

The housing includes this housing (illustrated with a dashed line;
- 2) placed in container B so as to be locked;
There are book clamps 2 and 3.

Each of these clamps has an inner end between which an inner cylindrical casing 4 projects.

This casing receives and guides therein an air pressure applying device, illustrated as a piston 10.

For example, the housing 1 can be locked to the container using any suitable device, such as screws or clamps, but
The means shown are lips 2a, 3a (also shown in dash-dotted lines) which fit snugly into the lid of the container.

As shown in FIG. 1, the lid of the container is formed with a recess in which an insert 9 projects from the underside of the clamp 3 to space the clamp from the lid and in fixed relation thereto. By supporting the clamp, the housing 1 of the device is held fixedly on the container B and locked in place, thus preventing movement of the casing 4.

Preferably, the spacer element 9 is elongated and corresponds to the curvature of the edge of the container.

Although the device for applying superatmospheric pressure to air is shown as an air pump, it can take any desired shape, such as a rubber ball or a bellows.

In the embodiment illustrated in FIG.
It is equipped with a piston 10 that reciprocates inside.

This casing is provided with a lip 7 which projects downwardly and provides a gas-tight seating for the tap injection pipe or riser 5.

The tap injection tube 5 communicates with the bottom of the chamber of the container (not shown) and is adapted to dispense liquid under pressure therethrough.

The tap injection tube also has a mounting ring 5a at its upper end which fits into the lip 7.

An annular gasket 8 is disposed between the edge 7 and the circumference of the mounting ring 5a.

This mounting ring is adapted to fit snugly into the seating lip 7, so that the tap standpipe can be easily assembled with the housing 1 without the use of special tools or techniques.

The casing 4 has a bottom in which a check valve 11 is arranged and defines an opening.

This opening forms a valve seat 12, which is preferably conical as shown.

The piston 10 is actuated by a ram K and is guided in a sealed manner inside the casing 4 by means of a membrane-like annular gasket.

This gasket acts as an airtight seal only during the downward stroke of the piston when its lip presses against the casing 40 guide wall.

When the piston is pulled out, a negative pressure is generated between the wall of the casing 4 and the edge of the piston immediately after closing the check valve, so the edge of the gasket 24 is sucked downward and the piston moves outward. Air can still enter the casing.

Also as shown, the standpipe or riser pipe is
It is mounted in a bub extending inwardly from the mounting ring 5a.

An air channel 6 with a cross-sectional area considerably smaller than the cross-sectional area of the liquid channel 6a of this standpipe has an opening 5 in the housing 1.
It communicates with b.

This opening 5b forms an air inlet and is provided with a check valve 11 inside.

FIG. 3 illustrates a modification of the air pump 10a.

The guiding action of the reciprocating piston is improved in this embodiment, and the structural parts, including the check valve and safety valve provided in this embodiment, are more stable with the seating of the standpipe. There is.

Casing 4 with an open top as shown
A piston 40 is movable within the cylinder 8.

The piston comprises a bottom 40a having an outer surface, a membrane 47 provided loosely on the outer surface of the bottom and provided around the circumference 947a in sealing engagement with the inner wall of the casing, and further comprising a check valve 11. and a bottom 48a of the casing defining a central hole communicating with the casing.

The bottom of the casing is attached to the clamp in a sealed manner using an attached part 30.

The bottom 40a of the axially reciprocatable piston consists of a central stepped projection 41 and a step of the projection defining a seat.

The insert 43 is composed of a downwardly tapered conical rim portion 44, an annular portion 45 adjacent to the conical rim portion 44, and a cylindrical bub portion 46 projecting upward from the annular portion. .

This bub is in frictional engagement with a central stepped projection 41 and its upper lip engages a step 42 of the projection which provides seating for the insert 43.

The membrane 47 forms a central opening through which the bub portion 46 extends and is retained between the outer surface of the bottom 40a of the piston and the annular portion 45 of the insert 43.

The insert 43 provides reinforcement and improved guidance as the piston 40 reciprocates within the cylindrical casing 48 while also acting as a mounting member for the sealing membrane 47.

Also, as in the embodiment of FIG.
Piston 40 a pressed against the wall of casing 48
Acts as an airtight seal only during the downward stroke of .

When the piston is withdrawn, a negative pressure is generated under the membrane 47 immediately after closing the check valve 11, so that the bottom 40a of the piston is lifted slightly above the membrane and the bottom 9 of the membrane is lifted.
A gap is created between 47a and the wall of the casing through which air can flow.

The insert 43 slides along the inner wall of the casing 48 with a small gap.

A central opening in the bottom 48a of the piston is surrounded by an inwardly projecting annular collar 48b, which in the illustrated embodiment is connected to the accessory part 3.
Since the air pump 10a is removably attached to the clamps 2 and 3, a gasket 35 is provided between the accessory part 30 and the bottom of the piston. provides an airtight seal between the two.

As shown, check valve 11 is mounted within collar 48b.

The air pump thus constitutes a compact unit that can be easily assembled and disassembled with other parts of the device.

The accessory parts mounting this air pump unit project upwardly from the housing formed by the clamps 2,3.

Since the air pump unit can be easily disassembled in this way, it can be used with a carbon dioxide gas cartridge instead of an air pump.

This cartridge is arranged in a suitable housing for this purpose and connected to a suitable pressure reducing valve.

As shown, the accessory part 30 defines a chamber housing the valve head 38 of the check valve 11, which chamber is an insert held within the accessory part between the clamps 2, 3. A lower limit is defined by body 34.

Also, as shown, the check valve is biased with a spring mounted between the shoulder of the valve and the insert 34.

A hermetic seal is provided between the accessory part 30 and the insert 34 by a gasket D, which retains the tap standpipe and has holes defining the standpipe and the air channel 6. It is formed.

An air inlet 36 extends into the insert 34 between the check valve 11 and the air channel.

As shown in FIG. 3, a safety valve 50 is also preferably provided within the insert 34 in communication with the air channel 6 to vent any excess pressure generated within the container. .

One embodiment of the dispensed fluid outlet and its isolation valve is illustrated in FIG.

As mentioned above, the device of the invention includes clamps 2, 3
A lock is placed on the container by a housing with a lock.

As shown, the clamp 3 defines a fluid conduit 13 that communicates at one end with a fluid outlet channel 6a of the tap standpipe 5 and at the other end communicates with a fluid outlet 14.

This fluid conduit 13 is open at the free end of the clamp 3 and receives in it a shut-off valve 15, which is provided with a stopper 15a which is arranged to be axially movable.

The conduit is plugged in a sealed manner by means of sealing gaskets N6, 17, and 18.

This plug has its inner end within the conduit and has an axial hole 15b extending from its inner end as well as extending outwardly from this hole so that when the plug is moved axially, the outlet exits. 14
A lateral hole 15b' communicating with the lateral hole 15b' is defined.

Due to the axial position of the plug 15a, the outlet 14 is connected to the conduit 1.
3, and the communication is cut off, so that liquid is supplied or cut off.

The outer end of the stopper projects from the conduit 13 and is connected to the knob 1.
9 and has an actuating member for moving the stopper 15a in the axial direction of the conduit.

Port 3 with gasket 17, 1B on the wall of clamp 3
When the plug is moved into the axial position on both sides of b and its ports reach the outlet between both gaskets, plug 1
The transverse hole 15b' of 5a communicates with the outlet so that the liquid is distributed.

The stopper defines an axially extending elongated guide groove 20 which cooperates with a pin 22 in the wall of the clamp to guide the opening of the stopper in axial movement and rotation. Hold the stopper to prevent it from happening.

Axial movement of the stopper by the knob 19 causes the clamp 3 to move the web 2
1, this web allows the user of the device of the invention to grasp the web with his fingers while pressing his palm against the knob and moving the stopper inwardly.

By providing a spring 23 within the conduit 13 to force the stopper, the bias force of the spring will automatically close the isolation valve when the user releases the knob 19.

By providing the cutoff valve 15 near the outlet 140,
This simplifies the structure and has the additional effect of preventing residual liquid from dripping even after the valve is closed.

This phenomenon of dripping occurs when the length of the discharge pipe is approximately 15 cm.
This is a common experience with C11L conventional taps.

Moreover, by doing as described above, the liquid can be taken out reliably.

FIG. 4 illustrates another embodiment of a shut-off valve that is slightly simpler to operate.

In this embodiment as well, the isolation valve 25 comprises a tap that is axially movable in the liquid conduit 13 and an actuating member connected to the tap.

The bung 25a is solid and the knob 26 is actuated by a bell crank lever 28.

This bell crank lever is connected to the outer end of clamp 3 and knob 2.
6 and a short arm 28a and a long arm 28b which engage the stopper.

This long arm extends away from the clamp 3 and can be pressed towards it to actuate the actuating member.

As shown in dashed lines, when lever arm 28b is depressed, lever arm 28b pivots outwardly to move bung 25a axially from its closed position to its dispensing position.

This shut-off valve can be used with the air pump of FIG. 1 or 3 in place of the shut-off valve shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, but only its construction is shown in FIG. be.

As shown, the isolation valve 25 includes a bung 25a connected to a knob or disc 26 by a plunger 31.

This plug is adapted to move axially in an enlarged conduit section which together with the conduit 13 forms a shoulder 13a.

This shoulder acts as a valve seat on which the gasket 27 engages.

The bearing at the outer end of the enlarged conduit section is the plunger 31
It accepts freely.

A spring 29 is also provided between the plunger shoulder and the bearing to bias the bung 25a and gasket 27 toward the valve seat, thereby maintaining the valve in its normally shut off position so that the liquid discharge conduit 13 and the discharge port 14 This prevents communication between the hole 3b and the hole 3b which extends to the hole 3b.

Also, there is a gasket between the plug 25a and the shoulder of the plunger).
27a is provided to provide an airtight seal.

The short lever 28a of the actuation lever is formed with a slot receiving the protrusion 31a of the plunger 31 and is in contact with the knob 26.

The bell crank lever is pivotally mounted at the apex formed by the two lever arms.

Further, the spring 29 is provided in the clamp 3, and the spring 29 is provided in the clamp 3.
The upper surface 30 defines a stop for the long arm 28b of the lever and limits its drive stroke.

In the illustrated embodiment, the long arm 28b of the lever has a U-shaped cross-section that matches the contour of the clamp, so that it engages the clamp 3 when pressed to the position shown in broken lines.

At the same dashed line position, arm 28a moves the isolation valve to an open position providing communication between conduit 13 and outlet 14.

When handle 28b is released, spring 29 automatically returns the valve to the closed position.

Such an actuating lever provides a compact and reliable operation of the isolation valve.

The stability of the structure increases until the lever arm 28b is moved proportionately so as to extend inwardly to the plane defined by the lip 3a of the clamp locking the device of the invention to the container.

The apparatus of the invention that has been described and exemplified so far can be easily operated by anyone without any problems.

Carbonated liquids, such as beverages, can be stored in containers even after they have been served.

Storage and liquid withdrawal costs are lower than with conventional carbon dioxide-operated dispensers, there is no risk of explosion, and there are significant savings in manufacturing and operation.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a longitudinal sectional view of an embodiment of the beverage dispensing device of the invention in the closed state. FIG. 2 is a horizontal cross-sectional view taken along line A--A in FIG. FIG. 3 is a longitudinal sectional view of another embodiment of the pressure application means of the beverage supply device. FIG. 4 is a similar cross-sectional view of another embodiment of the isolation valve of the same device. B...Container; 5...Tap standpipe; 6
...Air channel; 10,40...
Piston: 11... Check valve; 14...
・Exhaust port; 15, 25... Shutoff valve; 36...
...Air inlet.

Claims (1)

[Scope of Claims] 1. A beverage supply device that is removably attached to a container B filled with a pressurized beverage, pressurizes the beverage, and supplies the beverage from the container B, comprising containers B provided at both ends. a housing 1 with a device for receiving an air pump for supplying air to the container B in communication with an opening in the bottom thereof, and for preventing air from escaping from the pressurized interior of the housing 1; A check valve 11 is hermetically mounted in the opening and is inserted into a seat 7 in the bottom of the housing 1 to define an air channel 6 communicating between the space above the drinking level of the housing 1 and the opening in the no-clamp 1. The tap standpipe 5 is further configured to be openable and closable by a shut-off valve 15 and communicates with a beverage conduit 13 in order to provide a beverage dispensing device at 10°C. Formed as a one-piece body, the device for receiving the air pump is mounted on the surface of the housing 10 opposite and between the clamps 2 a , 2 b to connect the clamp 1 into the two component parts 2 , 3 . Separated, beverage conduit 1
3 is a continuous hole provided in the component 3 having an open end in the axial direction, and a discharge port through which the shutoff valve 15 communicates with a hole 36 formed in the bottom wall of the component 3 of the housing 1; A beverage dispensing device characterized in that it is movably inserted in the axial direction directly above the beverage dispensing device. 2. The beverage dispensing device according to claim 1, wherein the device that applies a pressure higher than atmospheric pressure to the air in the container B is an air pump 10. 3. The beverage dispensing device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the device serving as the housing of the air pump 10 is a cylindrical clamp that receives and guides the pneumatic pressurizing device.